In a quiet home on West Third Street in Appleton, Wisconsin, the life of Shannon Swanson, a 35-year-old White/Caucasian woman, was tragically cut short on June 6, 2022. That evening, just before 9:00 p.m., police were called to the residence she shared with 32-year-old Mitchell Kounelis, where they made a grim discovery. Both Swanson and Kounelis were found deceased inside the home.
The ensuing investigation by the Appleton Police Department and the Outagamie County Coroner's Office
pieced together the heartbreaking events. Authorities determined that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. Investigators concluded that Kounelis shot and killed Swanson before turning the gun on himself. The incident was contained to the home, and police assured the public that there was no ongoing threat to the community.
The relationship between Swanson and Kounelis was described as one of cohabitation, though further details about their history were not publicly released. In the wake of the tragedy, the Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response Team was on site to provide immediate support to the family members who had arrived at the scene. As the perpetrator died by suicide, there were no arrests made in connection with Swanson's death. The case was closed with the focus shifting to supporting the grieving families and raising awareness about the devastating consequences of domestic violence.
